The Relationship Between Social Media Addiction and Personality Traits: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate current research examining the relationship between social media addiction and personality traits. Within the scope of the systematic review, studies published between 2011 and 2025 were examined through the ScienceDirect, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Dergipark databases. The keywords “social media addiction,” “problematic internet use,” and “personality traits” were used during the literature search. A total of 20 studies that directly investigated the relationship between social media addiction/problematic social media use and personality traits and met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. The studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines, and the findings were analyzed. The reviewed studies demonstrated that personality traits play an important role in the development of social media addiction. Neuroticism was consistently identified as a risk factor for social media addiction, whereas conscientiousness and agreeableness were found to be protective factors. Findings regarding the role of extraversion were inconsistent and appeared to vary depending on individuals’ social interaction needs and purposes of social media use. Furthermore, fear of missing out (FoMO), emotion regulation difficulties, the need for social approval, and dark personality traits were identified as important psychological factors associated with social media addiction. Additionally, characteristics of social media platforms were found to influence addictive usage behaviors. Social media addiction is a multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be explained solely by usage duration or technological factors; rather, it is shaped by the interaction between personality traits and individual psychological processes. Future research should employ longitudinal designs, include diverse age and cultural groups, and examine personality traits together with emotion regulation, psychological needs, and platform-related characteristics.